Applications open for 2023 Investigative Summer STEM Program (ISSP)

Mar 30, 2023
Students conduct research during the Investigative Summer STEM Program at Newman University

Newman University is now accepting applications for the summer 2023 Investigative Summer STEM Program (ISSP).

ISSP camp is an immersive, weeklong experience that allows high schoolers to develop a better understanding of work in STEM-related fields through science, technology, engineering and math. For five days, students can perform hands-on research with Newman faculty, experience living on campus in the residence halls and even earn college credit. 

Professor Alan Oberley teaches students chemistry using fire during ISSP.
Professor Alan Oberley teaches students chemistry using fire during ISSP.

The 2023 ISSP overnight program allows campers to fully immerse themselves in campus life with a nightly stay in the residence halls. Campers will arrive in the evening on Sunday, June 11, and depart in the afternoon/ evening on Friday, June 16. Cost, which includes two college credit hours, lodging, breakfast, lunch and dinner for five days, is $420 before May 1, 2023, or $450 on or after May 1.

The 2023 ISSP program application deadline is May 31, 2023.

The ISSP Program is made possible by Spirit Aerosystems and the IMA Foundation.

Video: ISSP 2022 Highlights

What to expect

Each participant will select one interdisciplinary research topic from biology or chemistry. Working within a small group, the student will then conduct a literature search on the selected topics, set up laboratory/field experiments, collect data, analyze the results, draw conclusions from the findings and finally present the research to faculty and students.

Supervision and project background information is provided by the program faculty in a one-to-one and small group discussion format rather than traditional lectures. Guest speakers will be scheduled during the program to provide participants with real-life applications of science and math.

Students conduct an experiment with a professor during the 2021 Newman University ISSP camp.
Students conduct an experiment with a professor during the 2021 Newman University ISSP camp.

During ISSP students will:

  • Earn two hours of college credit with a pass/fail grade upon satisfactory completion of the program
  • Spend five days performing hands-on research in small groups led by highly qualified NU faculty
  • Expand team-building and communication skills
  • Engage with guest speakers from a variety of STEM-related fields to discuss the career opportunities possible with a STEM education
  • Form friendships with high school students that share similar interests

Who can apply

Current high school sophomores, juniors or seniors with a minimum 3.0 grade point average and who have completed at least one high school science course can apply for ISSP. Consideration may be given to freshmen.

A limited number of ISSP scholarships are available. Click here to learn more about scholarships.

All ISSP application materials must be received no later than May 31, 2023.

Sai Ananya Guntaka
Sai Ananya Guntaka

Sai Ananya Guntaka, a high school senior from Pittsburgh applied for the 2021 ISSP camp after a distant relative mentioned the opportunity to her mom over a phone call. 

“We decided to look into it, and it was a lot of fun,” Guntaka said. “It was one of my first times staying away from home for a week, and I really liked the environment. Everyone was really friendly, and the lab work we did was very interesting because it’s a lot different from what we do in school.” 


For more information, please contact NSEP director and associate professor of chemistry, Ryan Huschka by email at [email protected] or by phone at (316) 942-4291 ext. 2428.


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